Disability-Adjusted Life Years among Drug Users in Khon Kaen: An Evidence-Based Approach.

Objective: To examine the Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) among drug users in Khon Kaen.

Material And Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between January 2014 and February 2015. Patients' medical records, supported by the Khon Kaen Provincial Public Health Office, were used for data regarding the treatment ofthe drug users between October 2013 and September 2014. SPSS version 19.0 for windows was used to analyze descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlations.

Results: A review of medical records revealed a total number of drug users were 3,605 males (92.25%) and 303 females (7.75%). A total of 2,195 cases (56.17%) were drug dependence. 20 drug users died due to drug-related causes. A total DALYs were 6,772.26 and a prevalence rate of DALYs was 3.76/1,000 populations. The correlation analyses showed significantly factors related to the DALYs among drug users were age, occupation, pattern of drug use, levels of severity, drug-related death and treatment services.

Conclusion: The DALYs were apparently high among male drug users, who completed primay school education, were drug-dependent and being treated in group therapy. The health authorities may use these associated factors in order to develop or improve programs related to prevention, harm reduction and treatment services effectively.